ESPN.com's NFL experts have teamed up to examine "The State of NFL Nation," a weeklong look at the biggest questions facing the league. In this installment, we take on 2009 breakout stars.

Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, CB, Cardinals

Rodgers-Cromartie

By Mike Sando

Arizona gave up 36 touchdown passes last season, most in the NFL.

Do not blame Rodgers-Cromartie.

The 2008 first-round choice became a full-time starter in Week 9 and immediately established himself as an ascending player. The trend has continued this offseason.

"The one guy who continues to impress me is DRC," quarterback Kurt Warner told reporters in June. "I see improvement there. He's the guy standing out to me, more than anybody in this camp."

The 6-foot-2 Rodgers-Cromartie combines unusual length with athletic ability generally associated with smaller cornerbacks. Scouts have clocked the former Tennessee State standout at 4.29 seconds in the 40.

"This guy was a long, leggy athlete that had a tremendous amount of suddenness to him," Steve Keim, the Cardinals' director of college scouting, said during the playoffs last season.

"His downfield speed was rare, to say the least. His ball skills, anticipation and playmaking ability with ball in his hands is uncanny. Those guys are impossible to find."

Though unfailingly polite and modest in his dealings with reporters, Rodgers-Cromartie had enough faith in his raw ability, even as a rookie, to issue a standing challenge to any teammate willing to race him. Receiver Steve Breaston was the only known taker. The two have yet to settle the issue, but it's difficult to envision Rodgers-Cromartie losing a footrace with just about any NFL receiver. His outstanding makeup speed has helped him break up passes even when opponents appeared to have him beat.

Questions about the Cardinals' pass rush could influence Rodgers-Cromartie's success. Opposing quarterbacks also figure to have a better read on him this season. An abundance of talent should carry him through.

"The great Hall of Fame-type corners are not Tampa 2 corners; they were guys you could put on a man," said Hall of Famer Darrell Green, who has worked with Rodgers-Cromartie. "You cover number one, you cover number two, you tackle number three. His success is not Cover 2. His success is being able to get on that receiver and handle his business."